You love the Caribbean. “One day,” you say, “we’ll take the kids there.” You say it like it’s the freakin’ moon. The simple fact is, from the gentle waves and mostly nonpoisonous wildlife to the relaxed dress codes and absurd abundance of over-engineered swimming pools, the Caribbean is perhaps the world’s best family destination. With a new focus on kid-centric programs at resorts and parks throughout the region, a little rum for the folks and a lot of sunscreen for the nippers, you’ve got the makings of a vacation you won’t forget.

(1) Unless you want to back up to Noah, credit for invention of the family vacation must go to Club Med. Through 40 years and 80 resorts around the world, it’s honed its skills at keeping the little ones occupied–from blocks at Baby Club Med to advanced video editing at the Passworld teen space–so parents can relax. They’ll love the trapeze training; you’ll love the certified baby sitters. Best of all, there are destinations throughout the Caribbean: (2-6) Club Med Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic, Club Med La Caravelle in Guadeloupe, Club Med Columbus Isle in the Bahamas, Club Med Buccaneer’s Creek in Martinique, Club Med Cancún Yucatán in Mexico and Club Med Turkoise in the Turks and Caicos.

(7) Atlantis, on Paradise Island in the Bahamas, already looks like it was designed and built by a 9-year-old (we mean that as a compliment–9-year-olds know how to design serious fun), but now your minor can minor in architecture while on vacation. Atlantis has teamed with Lego for Lego Fantasy Camp in three sessions this July, in which kids will work side by side with Lego Master builders. (8) Less studious types will head to Aquaventure’s 141 acres of high-speed water slides, river rides over rapids and waves, and themed tunnels and towers or (9) the everything-you-ever-wanted Atlantis Kids Adventures kids club. (10) You, of course, will be rebuilding your adult relationship at Cain at the Cove, the all-adult arena with four multilevel pools, daybeds and poolside service–offered exclusively to guests of the Cove Atlantis.

Read the rest here at www.caribbeantravelmag.com!